Carrick at the wheel: Another false dawn like Solksjaer, or a new era for Man United?

And so it begins. A new era at Manchester United. Or perhaps, more fittingly, the continuation of one, as Michael Carrick becomes the new head coach, not manager, of the 13-time Premier League champions.

When United decided to part ways with Ruben Amorim, it felt as though the club was bracing for yet another implosion. It is never a good sign when a tactician publicly questions the board before walking away, and Amorim’s departure left a dark cloud hanging heavily over Old Trafford.

Darren Fletcher’s brief spell in charge did little to lift the gloom as United crashed out of the FA Cup, leaving them with just 39 matches across the season.

For a club of United’s stature, that was an almost unimaginable reality. Yet, for many fans, it had become an all-too-familiar story over the years.

Then came Carrick. Quiet, composed, understated, much like the midfielder he was during his playing days. Never flashy, never desperate for the spotlight, just a man who understood balance, control and responsibility.

From the moment he arrived at United in July 2006, Carrick was rarely the headline act. He simply did his job, slipped under the radar, and prepared for the next battle.

Perhaps that is why Cristiano Ronaldo once wrote a heartfelt message for him during his first spell as United’s caretaker boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked.

The task back then was straightforward, to steer United away from disaster in a season that looked destined to sink without resistance. Then came the tests: Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. This was part of 11 wins in his 16 games.

All beaten. Some emphatically.

And now comes the real question: can Carrick build something lasting? At a club like United, success is never judged in moments. It is measured in trophies.

BRINGING BACK EXCITING FOOTBALL

“You want to win games, it goes without saying, we want to win games. There’s different ways of doing it, of course, different scenarios, different situations in games that [mean] you might have to play a certain way."

“But I think for me it's [about] working with the players. I love working with the players and helping them get better individually, which, hopefully, will help the team improve and [I want to] be there to support them. I'm one of them, we're all in it together, and I think it's important that we all look after each other."

“But I know it comes down to results. Hopefully, we can play a really exciting type of football and be positive and express and bring excitement. I want to be off my seat. I want to be enjoying watching the boys play, and results obviously need to come with that.

“You can feel my kind of enthusiasm for it, because I'm buzzing to get started and see what we can do.”

These were Carrick’s words while speaking on the Inside Carrington podcast about the football he wanted United to play. More importantly, he has stayed true to that vision.

Until May 8, United had scored 26 goals under him, boasting a shot conversion rate of 13.9 percent — the best in the league since his arrival. They had also conceded just 16 goals, several of them coming in tense contests like the Fulham clash and the dramatic 2-2 draw away at Bournemouth.

But beyond the numbers, Carrick restored something United supporters had desperately missed, identity.

Counter-attacking football returned. Pace returned. Chaos returned.

United were never built in the image of Pep Guardiola teams, obsessed with endless passing sequences and sterile control. Their greatest sides thrived on directness, speed, emotion and moments that exploded out of nowhere.

It was about thunderous goals, relentless transitions and those unforgettable moments in Fergie time.

Then came the revival of players who looked lost. Kobbie Mainoo, who had almost faded into the background under Amorim, suddenly looked reborn under Carrick, playing with confidence and authority once again.

There was no need for tactical over complication. Carrick abandoned Amorim’s 3-4-3 setup and reshaped the side into a 1-3-2-4 or 3-3-4 structure that better suited United’s traditional strengths.

ANOTHER SOLKSJAER?

That fear lingered from the moment Carrick first stepped into the role.

Solskjaer, too, had once inspired belief. He guided United to a Europa League final, secured a second-place Premier League finish and brought Champions League football back to Old Trafford.

But everything unravelled during the 2021-22 campaign, just when United were expected to take the next step. Solskjaer eventually became trapped by nostalgia and questionable recruitment decisions. The pursuit of Ronaldo’s emotional return overshadowed the team’s long-standing issue — the lack of a reliable defensive midfielder.

That is the trap Carrick must avoid in his first full season as head coach.

United will always chase marquee names, but the real challenge lies in ensuring every signing serves the system rather than disrupting it.

The midfield now needs urgent reinforcement with Casemiro leaving and Manuel Ugarte also expected to depart. The squad also requires a left-back and another left winger to provide depth and competition for Matheus Cunha and Luke Shaw.

Sometimes, transfer windows shape entire seasons. Every arrival now has to fit Carrick’s blueprint and carry his approval.

With Champions League football secured, United will once again possess the financial muscle to compete for elite talent. But next season cannot simply be about returning to relevance. It has to be about challenging for the title.

What United do not want now is another false dawn. They are no longer searching for a saviour or another temporary messiah to guide them back to the promised land.

They want Carrick at the wheel. They want stability. They want belief restored.

And if the early signs are anything to go by, there is genuine hope that Carrick could finally be the man capable of dragging United back towards the summit once again.